sunflower
Environment

I recently heard that Sweden is the greenest country in the world. Is this true and, if so, by what standards? And where does the U.S. rank?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: I recently heard that Sweden is the greenest country in the world. Is this true and, if so, by what standards? And where does the U.S. rank? — Raul Swain, New York, NY It’s true that Sweden came out on top in the recently released ranking of […]

sunflower
Environment

What’s the latest on efforts to ban plastic bags? How many U.S. locales have instituted some kind of ban, and have these initiatives made a dent in the amount of plastic litter?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What’s the latest on efforts to ban plastic bags? How many U.S. locales have instituted some kind of ban, and have these initiatives made a dent in the amount of plastic litter?     — Melinda Clarke, New York, NY California made big news recently when it […]

sunflower
Environment

What are some of the more dangerous threats to our air quality and what can be done to eliminate them so we can all breathe more easily?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: What are some of the more dangerous threats to our air quality and what can be done to eliminate them so we can all breathe more easily? — Melanie Smith, Pomfret, CT The main threats to local air quality across the United States (as well as most […]

sunflower
Environment

How is it that some food purveyors are contributing to the destruction of tropical rainforests by ditching unhealthy “trans fats?”

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: How is it that some food purveyors are contributing to the destruction of tropical rainforests by ditching unhealthy “trans fats?” — Billy S., Salem, OR Most public health advocates applaud efforts by processed food producers, restaurants and fast food chains to get rid of so-called “trans fats”—partially […]

birds on lake
Environment

How is it that migrating birds are being negatively affected by oil extraction in Canada’s Boreal forest?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: How is it that migrating birds are being negatively affected by oil extraction in Canada’s Boreal forest?            — Jennifer Chase, Fort Lauderdale, FL Each year tens of million of migratory birds “overwinter” in the Canadian Boreal forest, a vast tract of mostly […]

sunflower
Environment

We must really be swimming in electronic waste, what with all the iPhones and other devices that are so common. How is this all being dealt with?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: We must really be swimming in electronic waste, what with all the iPhones and other devices that are so common. How is this all being dealt with?      — Mary Shufelt, New Bern, NC With electronic equipment and gadgets the fastest growing waste stream in many countries, how to […]

sunflower
Environment

Is it true that much of our food—including cereals and snacks eaten by children—is actually over-fortified with excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals that can be dangerous to our health?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that much of our food—including cereals and snacks eaten by children—is actually over-fortified with excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals that can be dangerous to our health?                  — Diane Summerton, Waukesha, WI Added nutrients in the processed foods we […]

sunflower
Environment

To what extent is Antarctica really melting and what impact might it have on coastlines around the world?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: To what extent is Antarctica really melting and what impact might it have on coastlines around the world?     — Andrea Hutchinson, Cary, NC The Antarctic continent, roughly the size of the United States and Mexico combined, is composed of rock covered by glaciers some 16,000 […]

sunflower
Environment

Is it true that fuel cell cars aren’t really any greener than conventional gas-powered internal combustion cars?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: Is it true that fuel cell cars aren’t really any greener than conventional gas-powered internal combustion cars? — Michelle Adamo, Portland, OR A decade ago cars powered by fuel cells seemed like the future of green automotive travel, but many analysts now think otherwise. These futuristic cars […]

sunflower
Environment

We often see and read reports about environmental threats to women’s health, but aren’t there also concerns about which men should be especially vigilant?

EarthTalk® E – The Environmental Magazine Dear EarthTalk: We often see and read reports about environmental threats to women’s health, but aren’t there also concerns about which men should be especially vigilant? — Jay Walsh, Boston, MA Indeed, women aren’t the only ones who should be worried about environmental threats. A recently released report (“Men’s […]